28 – Graduation – 4
Just as in the game, passing down the Moonlight Sword’s secret technique would fulfill the conditions of the job quest. If that happened, my life here would come to an end.
It was refreshing yet bittersweet.
Even though it was to fulfill the conditions, I was sincere with Sowol.
“Let’s get started!”
Sowol exclaimed confidently, unaware of my thoughts.
Yeah, let’s do it.
There’s nothing more enjoyable than witnessing the growth of a disciple.
After patting Sowol’s head, I led her to the mountains.
The mountain, which had served as our training ground for almost a year, was now not much different from a vast field.
That’s how many trees we had cut down during our training.
Now, Sowol, accustomed to the familiar training ground, casually loosened up her body, holding the sword and looking at the sky.
No shadows could be found in her expression.
This must be Sowol’s strength.
Remarkable talent and a pride befitting that talent.
Though occasionally visible, that pride accelerated Sowol’s growth.
To inherit the Moonlight Sword, one of the three great sword techniques, was no small burden, considering the power it possessed. However, Sowol seemed overflowing with confidence.
I was satisfied with her attitude.
Yes, this is how my disciple should be.
“From now on, I will pass down the final form of the Moonlight Sword, the sword that can be considered the essence of the Moonlight Sword.”
Therefore, I maintained a serious demeanor unlike usual.
Her expression grew even more serious, as if she could sense the gravitas in my voice.
I slowly drew my sword, gazing at her intently, as if to convey that I wouldn’t miss a single word.
“Moonlight Sword, my secret move. Moonlight Strike.”
I lifted my sword, and the Moonlight Sword began to demonstrate its formidable power, as renowned as its reputation.
As if to prove it.
“The sky…?”
The sky.
Darkened.
A powerful force that changes nature with the strength of a human.
As she looked bewildered by it, the moon appeared in the sky.
Colder than anything else, brighter than anything else.
– Qua-gwa-gwah!
The dim light unfolded by the rising moon turned into rays of darkness, enveloping the surroundings.
Moonlight Strike, which had been a wide-range attack in the game, now became a powerful attack with an enormous range, wiping out everything in its path.
Trees, rocks, earth.
Everything touched by the light began to vanish.
“Hoooh…”
I slowly lowered my sword.
And as I did, the night sky and the moon disappeared, returning to daylight.
My body was so depleted, as if to prove that it had consumed significant magical power. I looked at Sowol, who was staring at me with round eyes like a startled rabbit, and smiled as I pointed my sword at her.
“This is the last form of the Moonlight Sword. Did you see it? Give it a try.”
“…Even if you say so.”
Meeting her gaze filled with respect and fear, I felt a sense of accomplishment.
Did you see it? This is your master.
I gently petted Sowol’s head and explained the techniques of using magical power.
Slowly, but surely.
After telling her several times to ensure she understood, I stepped back once she confirmed that she had memorized everything.
“This… isn’t easy.”
Well, of course not. It’s not just any ordinary sword technique.
I laughed and looked at Sowol, who was holding the sword without knowing what to do.
Unlike anything before, it seemed she couldn’t achieve this one thing in a single attempt, and her pretty face was heavily furrowed in frustration.
I gently stroked her troubled head and spoke as kindly as possible.
“No matter who you are, this won’t be easy. There’s no need to rush. Understand?”
“Yes. Slowly. But surely.”
“Yeah. I believe in you. You’ll succeed in mastering the Moonlight Pinnacle.”
.
.
.
My responsibilities in the Eastern Summit extended beyond just teaching Sowol. I also took on the task of instructing the warriors of the Eastern Summit at the request of Sojungyang.
On regular mornings, I focused on teaching Sowol, and in the afternoons, I gathered the warriors of the Eastern Summit to instruct them collectively. That was my usual routine.
But recently, things had changed.
I had taught Sowol everything I could. The rest was up to her realization.
That’s why these days, I put more effort into overseeing the warriors of the Eastern Summit.
“Master, could you please check my stance?”
Naturally, Laila was included among the warriors seeking guidance.
Among the warriors of the Summit, she was on the younger side, but when judged by talent, she could be considered the most outstanding among the ordinary warriors.
As if to prove this, Laila’s skills were getting stronger day by day.
“Just a bit more, and you’ll achieve a perfect sword form.”
“Really?”
“We’ve already achieved the divine sword unity.”
Laila smiled brightly. While the other warriors envied her, they had also become much stronger compared to before my arrival.
“Master, may I have a moment?”
While observing the practicing warriors, Sojungyang approached me.
Next to her stood unfamiliar figures.
Upon closer inspection, they were priests who had come from the church.
Perhaps nuns. Considering Serin’s case, they didn’t seem particularly special.
I told the warriors asking me questions that I would attend to them shortly and approached the priests.
“Long time no see, Brother Lee Hyun.”
Huh? Did we meet before?
The middle-aged nun greeted politely and spoke, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out who she was…
“I am Leirella. A senior priest of the church. Don’t we have a history of working together?”
“Ah. Ahhhh! That’s right! Nice to see you! Hahaha!”
…Who was she?
But pretending to know her, I couldn’t possibly continue to act clueless.
I greeted her as if I knew her, and she seemed pleased with my reaction.
“According to the grace of the Lord, Brother Ihyeon has stayed at the Eastern Top and has fought against the vile Asura Sect, achieving victory.”
Ah. It seems a request for support has come.
But why did this person come?
I thought it would be Serin.
“Sister Serin is planning to participate as a rear guard.”
“I see. It’s truly a blessed occasion. If the Sisters stay at the Eastern Top, they will be able to easily repel the horde of the wicked Asura Sect.”
“I hope so. But more importantly… are you teaching the Brothers and Sisters of the Eastern Top?”
“Haha. Yes.”
“When the church requested it, you refused…”
Well, there aren’t any talented ones at the church, that’s for sure.
They’re all so stubborn, and there’s no fun in teaching them.
But saying that won’t lead to anything good, so let’s just laugh it off.
“Anyway, it’s a good thing. And one more thing. There’s intelligence.”
Intelligence? What’s that?
“Soon, the Archbishop of the Asura Sect will be targeting this place, according to the intelligence.”
“Oh… I see.”
From Noble mtl dot com
The Archbishop. With that level, it’s a named formidable enemy.
Originally, he reveals himself during religious wars. Could it be because he survived the previous attack?
Well, it doesn’t really matter.
Since we’re going to annihilate them all during the religious war event.
It would be nice if So Wolju gave us some good items.
“To prepare for that, I plan to keep the Holy Knights and the priests here.”
“That’s great. I’m grateful.”
“May the grace of the Lord be with us… Then, let’s go check our surroundings.”
They bid a simple farewell and depart.
As they recede into the distance, Sojoongyang approaches me, watching them go, and asks,
“By the way, Master, how is Sowol these days?”
“Well, he’s working hard.”
It seems that mastering the Moonlight Sword technique is not easy, and Sowol has become more sensitive than usual lately.
Her high pride does not allow any hindrance in the Moonlight Sword.
Because of that, the worries are not just from above.
Every night, bathed in moonlight, she meditates, swings her sword as if letting loose her mind, and yesterday, she laughed like a madwoman for hours.
Given these stories, it wasn’t strange for Sojoongyang to ask me.
“It’s just the pains of growth.”
“If Master says so… I believe it.”
It’s good that she says that.
But looking at her expression, it’s completely a worried expression. Is she really believing?
“What’s important now is to prevent the Asura Sect’s attack. You must understand, Master, that Lord Sangdan has advised not to roam freely and to always have guards with you.”
“I understand.”
The response is good.
After giving him a smile, I return to my dwelling.
Since when did the garden in my residence above become Sowol’s training ground?
Sowol, who was sitting on a rock in the garden, staring blankly at the sky, didn’t even flinch when I approached.
A perfect state of indifference.
Ignoring my presence, Sowol, who had completely avoided the attack without even looking, continued to concentrate.
A perfect unity of mind and body.
Impressive.
Sowol, who became a state of simply feeling the flow of magic, was enough to give me a thrill.
I’ve created a monster.
This should be helpful when watching the true ending later, right?
“Sigh…”
How much time has passed?
When the sunlight that had poured down turned into night, So Wol woke up with a heavy sigh.
She glanced in my direction and slowly raised her sword.
What is she trying to show?
…Could it be that she has already mastered the Moonlight Stance?
“Huuu…”
With a low breath, So Wol aimed her raised sword at the empty air. And in that moment.
-Clang! Clang! Clang!
-Slash!
I tried to draw my sword at the sound of the sergeant’s voice coming from outside.
So Wol, who caught me doing that, smiled slyly.
“You don’t need to step forward, master.”
“Oh. Quite confident, aren’t you? You can’t have mastered it already.”
“Yes.”
Her smile resembled the bright moonlight.
“I’ll show you. The completely changed me.”